Italian anger at dealing with Naples garbage

Euronews

The fallout of the waste disposal crisis in Naples continues to spread to other parts of Italy.

Some 1,500 tonnes of Napolitan garbage has arrived at an incinerator on the island of Sicily, much to the displeasure of the locals.

Sicilian authorities reluctantly heeded an appeal to take on some of the rubbish from Naples, where landfill sites have been full since before Christmas.

Other regions have refused to help out.

The extra waste has left a bad taste in the mouths of Sicilian residents.

One protestor directed his anger at the authorities. “Shame on you,” he said, “You’re the ones that should be thrown onto the rubbish heap.”

An estimated 140,000 tonnes of rubbish has been left uncollected on Napolitan streets.

The crisis is a direct threat to public health and the local economy.

Italian authorities pay companies in Germany to do much of the dirty work when it comes to waste disposal. Prime Minister Romano Prodi said this policy must end, adding “we cannot accept this shame any more, we must find a solution to the issue here in Italy.”

Along with Sicily, Sardinia has also accepted to ease Naples’ garbage problem. Local opposition here has been even fiercer.

Around 1,000 protestors burned rubbish bins, threw rocks at police and dumped garbage bags outside the home of regional governor Renato Soru. At least eight people have been arrested, including two for allegedly plotting to firebomb the governor’s villa.